Bill C-287

1st Session, 39th Parliament,

55 Elizabeth II, 2006

house of commons of canada

BILL C-287

An Act respecting a National Peacekeepers' Day

WHEREAS in 1956 the Minister of External Affairs, the Right Honourable Lester B. Pearson, proposed the first United Nations peacekeeping mission and, since that time, Canada has been a leader in keeping the peace around the world, with more than one hundred thousand members of the Canadian Forces participating in peacekeeping and peace support missions along with many members of Canadian police services;

WHEREAS one hundred and sixty-four Canadian Forces peacekeepers have lost their lives while keeping the peace around the world in over sixty-six missions;

AND WHEREAS on August 9, 1974, nine Canadian Forces peacekeepers were killed when their plane was shot down by a surface-to-air missile while en route from Beirut to Damascus;

NOW, THEREFORE, Her Majesty, by and with the advice and consent of the Senate and House of Commons of Canada, enacts as follows:

SHORT TITLE

1. This Act may be cited as the National Peacekeepers’ Day Act.

NATIONAL PEACEKEEPERS’ DAY

2. Throughout Canada, in each and every year, the ninth day of August shall be known as “National Peacekeepers’ Day”.

3. In each and every year, on the ninth day of August, the Canadian flag on the Peace Tower shall be lowered to half-mast.

4. For greater certainty, National Peacekeepers’ Day is not a legal holiday or a non-juridical day.